Bathing cap



S. R. MILBURY Dec. 21

BATHING CAP Filed April 2l, 1924 Patented Dec. 21, 1926.

UNiTED STATESv SETH R.' MILBURY, 0F IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY.`

BATHIN G CAP.

Application filed April, 21, 1924. Serial No. 708,040.'

This invention is an improved bathingV cap for use in swimming 'or diving and provides means for giving space for lthe ears and allowing'tlie cap to tit snugly against' the skin thereby preventing any possible chance of water reaching the head.

The invention further provides a bathing cap having circular ear cups of any desired shape or size and made a part of the cap Yor attached to the cap permanently. l

lVitli the above and other objects in View the invention consists in a cap such as described below, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein l Figure 1l is a side view ot' the bathing cap. f Figure 2 is an end elevation thereof, and Figure 3 is an enlarged section'al View of one of the ear cups. i

Describing the invention in detail, 10 designates the cap proper, which is preferably t formed of flexible and elastic material, such as rubber and ofthe shape and design illustrated. Atits lower edge the cap is provided with a reinforcing band 11, also of rubber, and this band is forked, as shown at 12 and 13 to provide diversely arching branches 14 and lconjointly forming a loop surrounding the outstanding elastic ear-housings or cups 16. As shown in Figure 3, each ear cup extends outwardlyfrom the side of the cap and is so formed as to present a smooth faced circular recess having an entrance opening of suficiently large diameter to receive the ears of the wearer without pinching or crushing, and a flat base 17 against which the ear is adapted to rest; the ear fitting naturally and easily into the recess as the cap is drawn over the head. To enable tlie ear-housings to conform closely to the ears and to provide` a water-tight housing about the same, without pinching or crushing, when the elastic material of the cap is stretched during the course of placing the saine upon the head, the diameter of each housing is gradually reduced from the entrance opening to the flat base 17 on both the inside and outside of the housing to provide .a tapering or sloping connecting wall 18 between the base of the housing and the side of the cap. The sloping wall 18 is adapted to fit close around the outer edges of the ear and to be stretched in close contact with the head at the point where it joins the cap, namely: at the entrance opening of the ear 5 pocket. As it encircles the ear, it necessarily )the elastic base portions 17 of the housings presses against the head beyond the ear and, hence, behind the lobe of the ear, so ias to exclude the entrance of any water into the ear pocket. As will be obvious, the stretching of the elastic cap and ear-housings causes to be drawn close over the ears and, in the present invention, this drawing in of the base 17 is faciliated by reason of the connecting wall 18 being disposed at an inclination or U5 slope between the base and the side of the capi Each ear-Housing has its outer surface provided with a plurality of relatively spaced, circular, concentrically arranged, rings or ribs of elastic material formed integral Tf* with the base and sloping wall of the housing to provide flexible stifening-ridges 19. These stifen-ridges 'assist in enabling the* housing to regain and maintain its original shape when the cap is disengaged from the head. Upon Asuch removal, when the strain or stress on the elastic parts of the cap is removed, the contraction of the elastic ribs 19, as well as the normal contraction of the elastic housing itself, caused the latter to resume --U i its original shape. The ridges 19 are of further advantage in that they strengthen and provide a roughened exterior for the walls l of the ear-housings that renders them less likely to be punctured or otherwise damaged. These ribs, therefore, serve as safeguards against injury to the ears .without in any way impairing the elasticity or flexibility of the ear-housings.

lFastening means for the cap is furnished by a chin strap 20 having a slide member 21 at each end, through the slots of which the strap may be adjusted for lengthening or shortening the straps. Each slide member 21, is provided with a socket and is adapted to be engaged with one of the studs 22 secured to the bathing cap below the ear cups.- This cap permits the wearer to bathe in comfort and at the. same time keeps the hair dry. Much of the discomfort is occasioned by having the ears crushed into the side of the head by wearing the ordinary diving cap. The present invention, however, prevents the crushing of the ears since the circular ear cups provide spaces in which the ears are received without crushing and also allows the band to fit more snugly against the skin below the ears thereby preventing the water from reaching the hair.

From the foregoing the' nature and :id-'119 vantages of the invention will be apparent and While the present disclosure has reference to what may be termed the preferred form of the invention, it is to be understood that the latter is susceptible to being modified and varied Within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is l. A bathing cap having opposite side portions respectively provided With outstanding flexible ear-housings respectively presenting a circular recess having an entrance opening of suiiiciently large diameter to receive the ear without pinching or crushing and having also a smooth flat base against which the ear is adapted to rest, said ear-housings being gradually reduced in diameter from their entrance openings to their said flat bases to provide the said circular recesses with sloping side Walls adapted to fit close around Ithe outer edges of the ears, and a plurality of relatively spaced circular concentrically arranged ribs of elastic material formed integral with the said base and sloping Wall of each ear-housing and upon the outer surface thereofl to provide iexible stifl'ening-ridges.

2. A bathing cap comprising an elastic head covering having opposite side portions provided With elastic circular ear-housings of sufficiently large diameter to enable the ears to lit easily and readily thereinto when the cap is drawn yover the head, said elastic ear-housings having smooth inner ear-engaging surfaces and having their respective outer surfaces provided With a plurality of concentrically arranged circular ribs of elastic material relatively spaced to form stift'- ening-ridges, an elastic band completely encircling the head covering at its lower edge and being forked on opposite sides of the latter to provide diversely arching branches conjointly forming a loop surrounding the adjacent ear-housing in slightly spaced relation tothe side Wall of the latter, and an elastic chin strap secured to the head covering below the said ear-housings.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

.SETH R. MILBURY. 

